John Deere donates $100,000 to The Institute
John Deere Golf & Turf One Source has contributed $100,000 to The Environmental Institute for Golf, the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).
Gregg Breningmeyer, John Deere Golf & Turf One Source director of sales and marketing, will represent John Deere on The Institute’s Advisory Council. The Advisory Council provides guidance to The Institute’s board of trustees in the areas of outreach, fundraising and strategic planning. The members were selected to enhance The Institute’s ability to cultivate relationships with current and potential donors, as well as communicate the importance of the work conducted by The Institute. The Advisory Council is headed by World Golf Hall of Fame member Greg Norman.
"John Deere has been a valuable partner for The Institute over the years," said Norman, chairman and CEO of Great White Shark Enterprises. "It shares the Institute’s vision to strengthen the compatibility of golf with the environment and has played a key role in helping fund many research and education programs. Adding Gregg to the Advisory Council will only enhance our collaborative efforts."
John Deere was also welcomed as a new member of The Institute’s Platinum Tee Club recently, recognizing its $15,000 donation from the 2006 John Deere World Championship. The Platinum Tee Club is the giving club for organizations that contribute a minimum of $5,000 annually to The Institute. John Deere also is recognized at the Champion’s Club level through The Institute’s cumulative giving program of organizations that have contributed between $250,000 and $499,999 since 1987.
"John Deere is committed to investing in the future of golf and ensuring its compatibility with the environment," Breningmeyer said. "We are pleased with the research and educational advancements The Institute is providing and we wanted to get more involved."
The Environmental Institute for Golf’s Advisory Council:
Gregg Breningmeyer, John Deere Golf & Turf One Source director of sales and marketing
Tom Crow, founder of Cobra Golf and a retired trustee for The Institute
Pete Dye, golf course architect
John Foster, West Coast Turf president
Sergio Garcia, PGA Tour professional
Dana Garmany, Troon Golf chairman and CEO
Jack R. Harrell Jr., Harrell’s Fertilizer CEO
Bill Jones III, Sea Island Co. chairman and CEO
Paul C. Kanavos, Flag Luxury Properties, LLC chairman and CEO
Bill Kubly, Landscapes Unlimited CEO and immediate past chairman of The Institute’s board of trustees
Owen G. Larkin, Vineyard Golf Club (Edgartown, Mass.) president
Rafael Martinez, Republic Capital Corp. president and Institute trustee
Gary N. McClung, Midway Ford/Sterling Truck Center president and developer of Quintero Golf and Country Club (Peoria, Ariz.)
Ken Melrose, retired chairman and CEO of The Toro Co.
Greg Norman, Advisory Council chairman, Institute trustee and Great White Shark Enterprises chairman and CEO
Jaime Ortiz-Patiño, Valderrama Golf Club (Sotogrande, Spain) owner and president
David Pillsbury, president of PGA Tour Golf Course Properties and chairman of The Institute’s board of trustees
Vijay Singh, PGA Tour professional
Joe Steranka, PGA of America CEO
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Dubai World chairman
Weldon Wyatt, Sage Valley Golf Club (Graniteville, S.C.) founder and CEO
John Deere (Deere & Company – NYSE: DE) is the world’s leading provider of advanced products and services for agriculture and forestry and a major provider of advanced products and services for construction, lawn and turf care, landscaping and irrigation. John Deere also provides financial services worldwide and manufactures and markets engines used in heavy equipment. Since it was founded in 1837, the company has extended its heritage of integrity, quality, commitment and innovation around the globe.
The Environmental Institute for Golf is a collaborative effort of the environmental and golf communities, dedicated to strengthening the compatibility of golf with the natural environment. The Institute concentrates on delivering programs and services involving research, education and outreach that communicate the best management practices of environmental stewardship on the golf course. For more on The Institute, visit www.eifg.org.
GCSAA is a leading golf organization and has as its focus golf course management. Since 1926, GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the United States and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to more than 21,000 members in more than 72 countries. GCSAA’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org.
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For more information contact:
McGavock Edwards, APR, The Catevo Group vice president, integrated communications, at (866) 750-5411 or medwards@catevo.com
Teri Harris, GCSAA managing director, development, at (785) 832-4465 or tharris@gcsaa.org
Greg Lyman, GCSAA director of environmental programs, at (785) 832-3625 or glyman@gcsaa.org
Contact:
Jeff Bollig, GCSAA director of communications
(800) 472-7878, ext. 4430 or jbollig@gcsaa.org
